¶ . . . I like Lever Guns. I always have, but I've never owned one. Though I am first and foremost an IPSC/USPSA shooter, the game of Cowboy Lever Action Silhouette has caught my interest and I believe I'm going to give it a try. Even if I don't take to that discipline, I still get a cool rifle out of it! My question: .44-40 or .45 Colt . . . ?
. . . If it seems like I know a little of what I'm talking about here, don't be fooled: I am leaning toward the .44-40 for some probably misguided historical reasons but also from what little I have researched so far it looks like I might be able to load a faster, flatter round than the .45 Colt. Are there issues reloading the .44, as it is "necked" a little? The only reloading I've done up to this point is for .45ACP . . .
. . . How about some rifle recommendations? I went and looked at a couple today for the first time, and I kind of liked the EMF Hartford Model 1892; the two I handled seemed to have "tighter" actions than the two Winchester '94's I looked at. The Marlins looked kind of nice, though a bit pricier. Let's hear it!
Monday, October 31, 2005
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
Annual Pig Roast & Match, 2005 . . .
(Postscript: For photos and videos the way they should be done, check out Cowboy Blob and Jerry the Geek, respectively!)
¶ . . . This past Sunday the club held its Annual Pig Roast & Match and it was quite a fun time. I liked the stages, some Run 'n' Gun, some "Speed Steel," and what has become one of my favorites, The Jungle Run!
. . . An inauspicious showing, again, by yours truly (51st of 71 shooters, Ugh!), but a great time. I wanted to take a boatload of pictures, but I only took a few of the Jungle Run; got caught up in scoring and R.O.'ing . . .
. . . Again, I do OK in the Run 'n' Gun's, "C-class" caliber, I guess, if I may be so bold (I'm "C" in L-10, not classified in Limited as yet), but steel speed shoots, especially plates, seem to be my nemesis (Shoot More!). You can see the Stage Diagrams here (PDF Format). I don't know how long they'll be available, though . . .
. . . Slowly I went through the jungle, methodically even, and I still went past a target, a costly "Failure To Engage" procedural on top of another mike up the trail. This stage is set up in a draw with fairly steep sloping sides so it is possible for one to pass a target by (though nobody else in my squad did!). I did see one guy run out of ammo, however, by reloading too many times . . . !!
. . . Like I had seen on Geek's Jungle Runs, we had some steel for the first time!! Plates!! Up ahead, through the window!
. . . Here I experienced what was to me a new phenomenon. Four plates, directly in line behind each other, only one plate visible at a time . . .
. . . I had to do a "double-take" on the first two for though I could hear them ring from the hits, they didn't look to be falling! Lack of stereo vision, I guess, as the plate behind looked to be the plate I knocked down (I'm still a "one-eyed" shooter, opposite-eye dominant to boot). Don't know how much time it cost lifting my head until I figured it out . . .
. . . My regrets I didn't take photos of the other stages; Jerry the Geek has become a hard act to follow now with his hot match videos (Well done!). For some good stills of some 3-Gun Action, check out Cowboy Blob, they're well done, too, with stage descriptions . . .
¶ . . . This past Sunday the club held its Annual Pig Roast & Match and it was quite a fun time. I liked the stages, some Run 'n' Gun, some "Speed Steel," and what has become one of my favorites, The Jungle Run!
. . . An inauspicious showing, again, by yours truly (51st of 71 shooters, Ugh!), but a great time. I wanted to take a boatload of pictures, but I only took a few of the Jungle Run; got caught up in scoring and R.O.'ing . . .
. . . Again, I do OK in the Run 'n' Gun's, "C-class" caliber, I guess, if I may be so bold (I'm "C" in L-10, not classified in Limited as yet), but steel speed shoots, especially plates, seem to be my nemesis (Shoot More!). You can see the Stage Diagrams here (PDF Format). I don't know how long they'll be available, though . . .
. . . Slowly I went through the jungle, methodically even, and I still went past a target, a costly "Failure To Engage" procedural on top of another mike up the trail. This stage is set up in a draw with fairly steep sloping sides so it is possible for one to pass a target by (though nobody else in my squad did!). I did see one guy run out of ammo, however, by reloading too many times . . . !!
. . . Like I had seen on Geek's Jungle Runs, we had some steel for the first time!! Plates!! Up ahead, through the window!
. . . Here I experienced what was to me a new phenomenon. Four plates, directly in line behind each other, only one plate visible at a time . . .
. . . I had to do a "double-take" on the first two for though I could hear them ring from the hits, they didn't look to be falling! Lack of stereo vision, I guess, as the plate behind looked to be the plate I knocked down (I'm still a "one-eyed" shooter, opposite-eye dominant to boot). Don't know how much time it cost lifting my head until I figured it out . . .
. . . My regrets I didn't take photos of the other stages; Jerry the Geek has become a hard act to follow now with his hot match videos (Well done!). For some good stills of some 3-Gun Action, check out Cowboy Blob, they're well done, too, with stage descriptions . . .
Monday, October 24, 2005
Will Trade For An SVI Limited Gun . . .
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
Range Report: Prado IPSC . . .
¶ . . . Shoot More! The one match a month I've been doing at my local club ain't gettin' it, so this week I went out to the Prado Olympic Shooting Park, expanding the horizon as it were. "All the way to Prado [65 miles] to shoot a match?" someone remarked. Simple: Shoot or don't shoot, the choice is obvious . . .
. . . Well, it was a choice well made. It's only a little more than an hour's drive, not much more than the twice monthly drives when SWPL shot out at Piru. I have known for a while about this match, but this was my first trip. I know a few guys that shoot out there, so as usual I was in good company. And a fine range it is, too. All the bays are side by side, plenty of shade for summertime shooting (and cover for when it rains, as it did a little on this occasion!), and water coolers, even! The match is a "6+1", six courses of fire and one classifier . . .
. . . This was the last classifier I needed to get my Limited classification; too bad I didn't do too well. You'd think that all the times I've done "El Prez" it would have been a gimme, but I had one mike. However, I do think I did better in planning out my courses, no changing my mind after watching someone else, so though I didn't shoot the match "clean," (meaning no mikes) I suffered no brain pharts, which madden me more than mikes . . .
. . . Shoot more often (and dry-fire and reload practice)!!
. . . Well, it was a choice well made. It's only a little more than an hour's drive, not much more than the twice monthly drives when SWPL shot out at Piru. I have known for a while about this match, but this was my first trip. I know a few guys that shoot out there, so as usual I was in good company. And a fine range it is, too. All the bays are side by side, plenty of shade for summertime shooting (and cover for when it rains, as it did a little on this occasion!), and water coolers, even! The match is a "6+1", six courses of fire and one classifier . . .
. . . This was the last classifier I needed to get my Limited classification; too bad I didn't do too well. You'd think that all the times I've done "El Prez" it would have been a gimme, but I had one mike. However, I do think I did better in planning out my courses, no changing my mind after watching someone else, so though I didn't shoot the match "clean," (meaning no mikes) I suffered no brain pharts, which madden me more than mikes . . .
. . . Shoot more often (and dry-fire and reload practice)!!
Sunday, October 16, 2005
The Gunslinger Fraternity . . .
¶ . . . displays true brotherhood once more, as this past Friday I hooked-up with Marc of Lay Lines fame. A fine visit with great conversation on guns,USPSA/IPSC, being an American, growing up in California, getting OUT of Kalifornia, and sundry other neat topics.
That being said, I'm the first to slap anyone on the back for bailing out of here. Today I got an added bonus with another visit to his soon-to-be ex-shop to meet one of his chums, more great gun talk, and to see a firearm that is truly a masterwork! Think, "Reach out and touch someone!"
EXCELSIOR!
- Fortunately: For Marc, he's beating a hasty advance out of here!
- Unfortunately: I'm still here, dreaming of the day I punch-out for Northern Nevada!
- Fortunately: I think I've made a great new acquaintance/friendship!
- Unfortunately: It'll be long distance!
- Fortunately: The Age Of E-mail allows expedient correspondence!
- Unfortunately: Distance precludes spontaneous "trigger time"!
- Fortunately: Now I've got a reason to visit Tennessee!
- Unfortunately: Road trips, I never get enough of them!
- Fortunately: It's all good anyway and I'm grateful!
- Un . . . 'Nuff said!!
That being said, I'm the first to slap anyone on the back for bailing out of here. Today I got an added bonus with another visit to his soon-to-be ex-shop to meet one of his chums, more great gun talk, and to see a firearm that is truly a masterwork! Think, "Reach out and touch someone!"
EXCELSIOR!
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Must Be The Scottish In Me . . .
¶ . . . Another hat tip to Cowboy Blob and hope he doesn't mind me copying him again as I also took "The General" test:
| William Wallace You scored 61 Wisdom, 73 Tactics, 62 Guts, and 43 Ruthlessness! |
Like William Wallace, chances are you have no problem charging a larger, better trained, better equipped, better armed and armored English army with a band of naked drunken Scotsmen. I'm not contesting that you have balls. It's your brain function I'm worried about. Scottish soldier and national hero. The first historical record of Wallace's activities concerns the burning of Lanark by Wallace and 30 men in May, 1297, and the slaying of the English sheriff, one of those whom Edward I of England had installed in his attempt to make good his claim to overlordship of Scotland. After the burning of Lanark many joined Wallace's forces, and under his leadership a disciplined army was evolved. Wallace marched on Scone and met an English force of more than 50,000 before Stirling Castle in Sept., 1297. The English, trying to cross a narrow bridge over the Forth River, were killed as they crossed, and their army was routed. Wallace crossed the border and laid waste several counties in the North of England. In December he returned to Scotland and for a short time acted as guardian of the realm for the imprisoned king, John de Baliol . In July, 1298, Edward defeated Wallace and his army at Falkirk, and forced him to retreat northward. His prestige lost, Wallace went to France in 1299 to seek the aid of King Philip IV, and he possibly went on to Rome. He is heard of again fighting in Scotland in 1304, but there was a price on his head, and in 1305 he was captured by Sir John de Menteith. He was taken to London in Aug., 1305, declared guilty of treason, and executed. The best-known source for the life of Wallace is a long romantic poem attributed to Blind Harry, written in the 15th century. |
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My test tracked 4 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender:
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| Link: The Which Historic General Are You Test written by dasnyds on Ok Cupid, home of the 32-Type Dating Test |
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
Remiss On Posting . . .
¶ . . . so I guess I'll put up what I used when it all started for me:
. . . We jettisoned the Series 80 firing pin block and pinned the grip safety, but if I ever use it for a carry gun I'll probably put back the block and reactivate the grip safety. Since I've been shooting Limited of late, I don't compete with it now, but maybe I'll shoot in the new "Single Stack" class at times. I do take it with me to the matches as a back up so I can at least finish the match if the Para gets fung-hoed. . .
. . . Forgive the dearth in my bloggage!!
This is my Colt Combat Commander. When I bought it, I knew nothing of IPSC shooting. This gun was bone-stock. My good friend Man Mountain did the enhancements for me:
- Ed Brown Beavertail Grip Safety (Nice!)
- S & A Magazine Well
- Chip McCormick Low Mount Rear Sight
- Wilson Combat Trigger (about a pound & three quarters; Sweet!)
- An "I-Forget-What-Brand" Extended Thumb Safety (Sloppy-seconds off of a prize table, along with a Schuemann Hybri-Comp Barrel I sold for $125!!)
- Wilson Combat Extended Mag Release
- Wilson Combat Bulletproof Extractor
- SV Firing Pin & Sear
. . . We jettisoned the Series 80 firing pin block and pinned the grip safety, but if I ever use it for a carry gun I'll probably put back the block and reactivate the grip safety. Since I've been shooting Limited of late, I don't compete with it now, but maybe I'll shoot in the new "Single Stack" class at times. I do take it with me to the matches as a back up so I can at least finish the match if the Para gets fung-hoed. . .
. . . Here's the rig:
- Tac-Pro Kydex Holster
- Safariland 4350 Outer Belt, 029 Inner Belt
- Safariland 771 Mag Pouches
- Chip McCormick 10-Round Power Mags
. . . Forgive the dearth in my bloggage!!
Saturday, October 01, 2005
A Note On My "Current Read" . . .
¶ . . . I thought I would share on my sidebar my current text. The last thing I do before passing out at night, every night, is to read a little. Whether I'm on vacation, away for training, on a road trip, camping, doing time in the state prison, wherever, I just have to read something or my day is not complete! This has been my M.O.going back to childhood, for as long as I can remember. . .
. . . So if a book is on the sidebar for awhile, it's not that I'm reading at a "Look Dick, see Spot run."-type pace, it's just that I'll nod-off after a couple of pages oft times!!
. . . So if a book is on the sidebar for awhile, it's not that I'm reading at a "Look Dick, see Spot run."-type pace, it's just that I'll nod-off after a couple of pages oft times!!
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